Toyota Prius premature wear problems

Filed Nov 23, 2024 · Brakes · TX

Yesterday, while driving on the interstate, all of the brake related warning lights on my dashboard lit up- ABS, traction control, brake, caution)- causing me concern, so I looked for the next exit. While exiting and slowing, I noticed my brakes felt different and were not as responsive as usual. I called my mechanic and cautiously headed to his shop a couple of miles away. Today, I met with him and found out that there is a leak in the brake booster line, but the extent of the problem is yet to be determined. I immediately did an internet search for my model year and found that there was a safety campaign on other Toyota hybrids for that year, so I called the Toyota customer service number. I was told that my vehicle had an extended warranty for the brake booster, but it expired 9 months prior, 10 years post purchase, The rep has escalated my issue but I will have to wait to see if someone with more authority can potentially give me an additional extension. Meanwhile, my car is not drivable, as the brakes could fail at any moment. In my estimation, this should not be a time limited coverage, but an actual recall covered by Toyota. This is not normal brake pad rotor wear and tear, but a known issue with the assembly system and a true safety hazard that one cannot foresee without experiencing minor to catastrophic failure of the system.

Filed Apr 15, 2015 · Tires · 44,500 miles · FL

Yokohama tires 195/65r15 dot#479n-ebm1212. Premature wear. Palm beach toyota will not honor 60 k warranty. Premature wear at 25k miles. Yokohama stopped manufacturing this tire because of complaints, so cannot get equal tire.palm beach toyota wants to charge me price of new tire. I have 60 k warranty.

Filed Sep 9, 2011 · Steering, Suspension · 17,000 miles · MN

Tl* the contact owns a 2010 toyota prius. The contact stated the tires wore prematurely. The contact had an alignment performed and the vehicle was inspected by several dealers and each time the contact was told there was no problem with the alignment or frame of the vehicle. The contact believed the failure to be a manufacturing defect because of the premature wear on the tires. The contact also owned a 2005 toyota prius in which the same failure occurred with the tires. The failure mileage was 17,000. Updated 10/12/11*lj updated 10/24/11

Filed Jan 29, 2011 · Brakes · 43,561 miles · PA

Applied brakes while car was moving slowly, less than 10 MPH, and heard loud grinding sound coming from left front as car stopped. Shifted to reverse and car barely moved, about 1 foot, which was accompanied by the loud grinding sound, then stopped. Turned car off and could find nothing interfering with the wheels but did find pieces of brake pad on the ground along the path the left front wheel had followed. The left front wheel appeared as if the calipers were holding whatever remained of the brake pad and/or backing tight against the rotor. Brake function had been normal for prior 7 11/12 years, ie, since I purchased it as a new car. There was a bothersome grinding, sometimes rattling or squealing noise from the left front wheel since the first year of ownership and I was repeatedly told by the dealer that nothing was wrong. Brake rust had gradually accumulated on the left front aluminum wheel but not on any others and the dealer blamed that on winter salt. It was towed to a different dealer and the front brake pads were replaced along with the front rotors being resurfaced. Despite my request, the brake pad from the other side was not kept nor was its thickness recorded. Nothing I told the service manager was relayed to whoever worked on the car and that person only recorded that the tow truck driver said the left front wheel was frozen fast. The car, 2002 toyota prius, had 43561 miles on it when this occurred and should not have had significant brake pad wear given the hybrid braking system and braking gear as well as my driving style. After the above repair was done, I learned that there was a recommendation that the left front rotor be replaced. I will have this done by a private mechanic so that the part will not be discarded.

Filed Oct 14, 2010 · Suspension · 1 miles · CA

Premature wear and crowning of tires due to manufacturing defect of rear axle. Can only be corrected by after market plastic shims installed at an expense of approximately $500 or over inflate tires to 50 psi and loose road traction or inflate tires to toyota specifications for premature wear due to toe out defect.

Filed Feb 18, 2010 · Brakes · 24,400 miles · RI

I was traveling about 25 MPH on a side street during broad daylight. I applied my brakes to stop but the car continued to roll forward. The brake pedal did not depress to the floor - rather it just remained in the normal depressed condition and did not stop the car at all. I then pumped the brake and it finally engaged on the third try although I was already thru the stop sign and into the intersection. Luckily, there were no cars ahead of me nor was there any cross traffic at the intersection. There was no snow or ice on the ground. My car is a 2006 toyota prius with 24,400 miles traveled at the time of the incident. It was purchased in july of 2006. A follow up check of the brakes on tuesday at a local toyota dealer on the 16th resulted in the following" "checked for diagnostic codes - everything fine." hardly calming. The pad wear indicator was not displayed.

Filed Oct 15, 2005 · Suspension · 27,008 miles · VT

Check engine light kept coming on then going off. Took to dealer but they couldn't get it to duplicate problem. While there they noticed tires were severely worn. Told me I needed 4 new tires and a 4 wheel alignment at 27,008 miles. Purchased 4 175/65r14 re 92 extra load tires. Left after paying for repairs including an oil change of $557.61 n august 3, 2004. October 8, 2005 had two nearly flat front tires. Have had to put air into tires several times over the past 4 months - even took car to auto garage that changed tires from winter to summer thinking they put them on wrong. Oct. 12, 2005 started hearing a humming noise in front left tire. Took to auto garage on oct 15, 2005 to be told that once again tires needed to be replaced again because they were worn due to needing a front end alignment and front left tire needed a ball bearing. Inside wall of tires is worn off and danger of tire blow-out. Rear tires also show signs of premature wear on inside wall and should be replaced soon. Current mileage is 44,804. I also put on winter tires every autumn onto the front. Garage technician said there was something wrong with burning through 2 sets of 4 tires within 45,000 miles and I should contact dealer.

Filed Jun 2, 2005 · Engine, Suspension · ME

Dt: the contact owns a 2004 toyota prius. This vehicle would stall at high speeds. He was going 65-70 MPH at time of incident. This happened without warning. It exactly what the reports said happened to him. He can be contacted by odi for this if needed. Also, had premature wear on tires. Had the front and rear ends aligned three times since he purchased the vehicle.

Filed Oct 28, 2003 · Steering, Tires · NY

Suspected quality issue resulting in premature wear of front driver's side tire, leading to potentially unsafe driving/handling situations.

Filed Jul 11, 2003 · Tires · CA

There is a tire separation problem with the latest set of bridgestone tires that we received from the toyota dealer for our prius. The original tires were recalled due to premature wear. The rear left tire separated and my daughter luckily was able to control the vehicle on the freeway at under 55 MPH. She noticed the problem immediately when she got on the freeway or she might have lost control. For an example of the separation, see: http://www.firestone-tire-recall.com/pages/advocate/11-13.html we had the same problem with the left rear and same new condition as link above.